A Guide for the Use of the Ferret Model for Influenza Virus Infection - PubMed (original) (raw)

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A Guide for the Use of the Ferret Model for Influenza Virus Infection

Jessica A Belser et al. Am J Pathol. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

As influenza viruses continue to jump species barriers to cause human infection, assessments of disease severity and viral replication kinetics in vivo provide crucial information for public health professionals. The ferret model is a valuable resource for evaluating influenza virus pathogenicity; thus, understanding the most effective techniques for sample collection and usage, as well as the full spectrum of attainable data after experimental inoculation in this species, is paramount. This is especially true for scheduled necropsy of virus-infected ferrets, a standard component in evaluation of influenza virus pathogenicity, as necropsy findings can provide important information regarding disease severity and pathogenicity that is not otherwise available from the live animal. In this review, we describe the range of influenza viruses assessed in ferrets, the measures of experimental disease severity in this model, and optimal sample collection during necropsy of virus-infected ferrets. Collectively, this information is critical for assessing systemic involvement after influenza virus infection in mammals.

Published by Elsevier Inc.

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Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

A: Abdominal organs in the ferret. Left panel: Visible organs on first entering the abdominal cavity include the liver, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, spleen, and urinary bladder. The pancreas lies closely adjacent to the pylorus and may not be readily visible without further handling of the GI tract. Right panel: With the GI tract moved to the side or lifted en bloc, the kidneys are found within the retroperitoneal space, along the dorsum, often embedded in adipose tissue. Differentiation of the intestinal segments may require removal of the GI tract en bloc, followed by separation of the loops for dissection and identification. The urinary bladder lies ventral to the rectum. B: Neck (cervical) and thoracic organs in the ferret. Left panel: Ventral midline incision through the soft tissues of the neck reveals the larynx, esophagus, and trachea (as well as thyroid gland and major vessels, not shown). The esophagus lies immediately dorsal to the trachea cranially and shifts toward the left as it courses caudally. The larynx is located at the cranial most end of the trachea. The caudal trachea bifurcates at the hilus of the lung, forming the mainstem bronchi as they enter the lungs. Removal of the ventral aspect of the ribcage reveals the lungs and heart. Right panel: The lungs in the ferret are composed of the cranial and caudal lobes on the left and cranial, middle, accessory, and caudal lobes on the right. Also shown are cut surfaces of the left lung lobes, revealing the spongy parenchyma and branching bronchi and vasculature. The tracheobronchial lymph nodes (not shown) are located at the hilus.

Figure 2

Figure 2

Tissues collected from the head include the conjunctiva and eye, soft palate, nasal turbinates, and brain. The method of brain removal shown is via a large opening along one side of the skull to allow lateral extraction of the entire brain. A sagittal section through the muzzle is shown to indicate the location of the nasal turbinates, which can be dislodged and removed using forceps via the nasal cavity. The conjunctiva is excised using a scalpel, and the eye is removed by proptosing the globe, detaching the associated connective tissue and muscle, and transecting the optic nerve. The soft palate is located deep in the back of the mouth and may require removal of the mandible for easier access.

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